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USA
20th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Ed. Dept. unveils plan to shift $1.7tn student loan portfolio to Treasury

The Department of Education has outlined a phased plan to transfer its nearly $1.7tn student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department, a significant move in the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to wind down the agency. The transition will be executed through an interagency agreement in three stages, beginning with loans already in default, followed by non-defaulted loans where legally and practically feasible, including servicing responsibilities. In the final phase, Treasury will also take on a role in enforcing school eligibility for federal student aid programs, building on its existing involvement in verifying borrower income data. Officials said the plan has been developed over several months to ensure a smooth handover, and they expect borrowers to experience no disruption, although no timeline or cost details have been disclosed. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that Treasury is better equipped to manage the portfolio, citing its financial expertise and the high proportion of borrowers in default.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning  

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:    
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff    
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.  

Download Free Guide

 

POLICY

School districts reconsider César Chavez namesakes

Following recent allegations of sexual abuse against César Chavez, schools named in his honor are facing significant challenges. With at least eighty-six public schools across fourteen states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia bearing his name, the revelations have prompted urgent discussions about potential renaming. Kevin Levin, an author and historian, remarked: "A lot of schools are going to have to have some really interesting and really difficult conversations about what it means to publicly commemorate the past." While some districts are already engaging their communities in these conversations, others are bound by policies that restrict name changes. The situation highlights the complexities of honoring historical figures whose legacies may evolve over time, as noted by Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District in Washington state, who said: "Even with the best of intent, you don't always know the full legacy of people."

Mississippi updates education strategy, adds focus on student wellbeing

The Mississippi State Board of Education has approved an updated strategic plan for pre-K through grade 12, aimed at building on recent academic gains while introducing new priorities for the state’s education system. Developed with input from a broad group of stakeholders, including educators, students, policymakers, and community leaders, the plan reflects a continued push to strengthen outcomes and prepare students for college, careers, and life. The revised strategy retains its original core goals while adding a new focus on supporting the “whole child,” emphasizing student wellbeing alongside academic achievement. Key priorities include improving attendance, expanding the integration of technology and career readiness across all grade levels, strengthening leadership at schools and districts, and providing targeted support for underperforming schools.

DISTRICTS

Former NYC schools chief exits Chicago CEO search, leaving two finalists

Former New York City schools chancellor Meisha Porter has withdrawn from consideration to lead Chicago Public Schools (CPS), narrowing the search to two finalists: interim chief executive Macquline King and former Baton Rouge superintendent Sito Narcisse. Porter exited the process before scheduled interviews, though no reason was provided. The leadership search for the nation’s fourth-largest school district has been lengthy, following the 2024 dismissal of former CEO Pedro Martinez. The Chicago Board of Education is expected to make a final decision soon, with approval requiring a majority vote. The process has faced multiple challenges, including the withdrawal of other candidates, the dismissal of a search firm, and criticism of political influence from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office. Questions also remain about how much influence the mayor will have, given the board’s mix of appointed and elected members. The remaining candidates offer contrasting profiles: King, a longtime CPS educator with local support, and Narcisse, an experienced district leader whose tenure in Baton Rouge drew mixed reactions. The search has also sparked calls for greater representation, particularly for Latino leadership, reflecting the district’s diverse student population.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Inclusive, learner-centered schools show strong results for special education students

A new study highlights how schools that redesign systems around the needs of students with disabilities, rather than requiring students to adapt, are achieving improved academic outcomes, engagement, and wellbeing. The research examined three learner-centered schools in Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin, where more than 45% of students have individualized education plans or similar supports. These schools adopt flexible structures, inclusive practices, and daily routines that prioritize student needs, such as sensory-friendly environments, mentorship programs, and integrated support systems. Common accommodations are made available to all students, reducing stigma and ensuring accessibility is built into the learning experience. Students with disabilities showed measurable gains in reading and math performance, higher graduation rates, fewer behavioral incidents, and increased engagement. Educators also reported higher job satisfaction and retention, while families experienced less need to advocate for services.

Federal probe orders reforms to special education services in Washington, D.C.

A federal investigation has found that the District of Columbia Public Schools violated the civil rights of students with disabilities, creating what officials described as an “adversarial system” that often forces families to pursue legal action to secure appropriate services. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) concluded that the district failed to adequately identify, support, and transport students with disabilities, following a yearlong probe prompted in part by high complaint rates and prior findings from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Under a proposed resolution, the district must establish a dedicated division for students with disabilities, improve transportation services, and strengthen identification and accommodation processes, while also training staff, including bus drivers, on updated policies. Although D.C. Public Schools has cooperated and is reviewing the findings, full details of the investigation have not been released, and enforcement action could follow if an agreement is not reached.

EMPLOYMENT

Texas teachers fight back against TEA

The Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency (TEA), claiming that the agency's investigations into educators who criticized Charlie Kirk violate their First Amendment rights. Texas AFT represents around 66,000 educators and argues that the inquiries into over 350 teachers infringe on their ability to express free speech online. Following Kirk's death, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath warned superintendents that educators sharing "vile content" would face investigations. Texas AFT's complaint highlights the negative consequences of such inquiries, citing a case where a Houston-area teacher was placed on administrative leave after commenting on Facebook about Kirk. Randi Weingarten, president of the national AFT, described the TEA's actions as a "state-sponsored attack on teachers." U.S. District Judge Alan Albright is set to hear arguments on April 22 regarding Texas AFT's request to block the investigations temporarily.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

School transport startup Zum hits $333m revenue amid expansion push

Zum Services has reported 2025 revenue of $333m, up 35% year-on-year, as demand grows for its technology platform that modernizes school bus routing, operations, and electrification. The company, which serves more than 4,000 schools and has secured over $2bn in contracted revenue, is continuing to expand its customer base and electric fleet rollout, while maintaining plans for a future IPO without specifying timing.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Global study warns of social media’s impact on youth wellbeing

The 2026 World Happiness Report highlights growing evidence that heavy social media use is contributing to declining mental health among teenagers, particularly girls, with passive consumption of algorithm-driven content linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and online exploitation. The report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup and the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, suggests that platforms centered on curated influencer content may be especially harmful, while also noting that the relationship between social media and wellbeing remains debated, with some regions showing limited positive effects. The findings come amid increasing regulatory scrutiny, with several countries considering or implementing restrictions on youth access to social media, and ongoing legal challenges in the U.S. over whether platforms are addictive. Alongside these concerns, the report again ranked Finland as the world’s happiest country, based on factors including income, health, social support, and trust in institutions.

TEACHER TRAINING

Arizona State launches accelerated teaching degree to boost educator workforce

Arizona State University plans to introduce a three-year, 90-credit bachelor’s degree in education starting in Fall 2026, aiming to reduce barriers to entry into the teaching profession and address ongoing teacher shortages, particularly in special education. The program, approved by the University Senate despite some faculty concerns, is designed to lower student debt and allow faster entry into the workforce while maintaining required clinical experience and certification standards. Supporters say the streamlined curriculum removes redundant coursework and is especially beneficial for students already working in schools, enabling them to earn while they learn. The initiative also seeks to improve equity by making teaching more accessible to those unable to commit to a traditional four-year degree. University leaders emphasized that the new degree will complement, rather than replace, existing programs and will include evaluation measures and flexibility for students to switch to a traditional pathway.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS

Texas adds Islamic schools to voucher list following discrimination lawsuit

Several Islamic schools have been admitted to Texas’ private school voucher program after a federal judge ordered the state to allow previously excluded institutions to apply and extend application deadlines. At least four schools, including Bayaan Academy, Brighter Horizons Academy, Excellence Academy, and Houston Quran Academy, have now been approved, following a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination. The plaintiffs argued the state had unlawfully barred Islamic schools despite meeting accreditation requirements, a claim reinforced by the swift approvals once applications were allowed. The court’s intervention also extended the family application deadline to March 31, giving parents additional time to participate in the program. While the ruling enabled the named schools in the lawsuit to join the $1 billion Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, many other Islamic schools remain excluded, and uncertainty persists over whether they will be admitted.

INTERNATIONAL

UNESCO, UNICEF, and ITU set standards for inclusive digital learning systems

UNESCO, UNICEF, and the International Telecommunication Union have jointly launched a new Charter aimed at helping governments design and manage digital learning platforms as public goods, reinforcing education as a universal right. Announced on the International Day for Digital Learning, it is based on seven principles. Platforms should be public, inclusive, pedagogically driven, complementary to in-person learning, open and interoperable, focused on educational needs, and trustworthy in their use of data and artificial intelligence. The initiative also stresses the importance of international collaboration, building on the existing Gateways program, which has supported dozens of countries in developing digital education systems.
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